i need help finding good speaker system...

[Digital-Nitrate]

BUT it's missing something.. a giant dual shock!
So how about BUTTKICKER GAMER?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AOTLP6/?tag=gtplanet-20

You guys know my 5.1 system, how can I set up buttkicker to work on the PS3? Everything I have is connected with HDMI cables. (satellite box, PS3, Surround system) Is it possible?
I was looking for this months ago, but no luck, as well I was googling it just for about an hour and still somehow I cant find the answer.

Buttkickers are basically just subwoofers, some of which can be huge and built into the bottom of couches or individual seats. The ones you linked to seem to be designed only for office chairs rather than chairs typically used in home theaters and family rooms:

Regardless, as subwoofers, all they need is a single line output from your receiver that has the low frequency signal. If you already have a subwoofer, you can always use a splitter, and thus feed both your subwoofer and what ever Buttkickers you are using.

So to answer your question, yes buttkickers will work with a PS3 or any source, as long as it is connected to a receiver or audio processor that is sending it the necessary low frequency audio signal (.1).

Cost wise, its actually a good deal cheaper to just build your own.

There are several DIY Speaker forums where you can learn how to do this fairly easily as well as recommendations on where to buy the kits or for real DIYers, places to buy the individual pieces, like at Parts Express, a favorite retailer for DIY speaker builders.

 

[TB]

You guys know my 5.1 system, how can I set up buttkicker to work on the PS3? Everything I have is connected with HDMI cables. (satellite box, PS3, Surround system) Is it possible?
I was looking for this months ago, but no luck, as well I was googling it just for about an hour and still somehow I cant find the answer.

According to the installation guide, you use a splitter off of the sub output to the Buttkicker. I can't find a picture showing the HT-SS2000 you bought (at least I think that's the one) but if it's the same as the speaker connections on the HT-SS2300, I think you might be out of luck as that looks like a proprietary connection.

Edit: Upon looking a bit further, it appears that the SS2000 does indeed have the same connectors, unfortunately. Unless I'm missing something, I think your only options would be to 1) leave it alone or 2) splice in an RCA connection off of the sub. This isn't the one I was picturing, but something like this might do the job. I won't be responsible if it doesn't work, though!

 

[Kryz11]

about the do it yourself project, prove a link on how to


and to TB

RCS connection? My sub is connected with that tiny wire.. to back of the box, so you mean split that tiny wire and connect second wire for the butt kicker?

oi I do not want to cut any cables.

seems it would be just easier to hook it up to the pc.

Can I hook up one cable to OPTICAL on PS3? Will it work? Or somehow connect one cable to the TV or to the Surrond box itself?

Because i can set up the box to play both SURROUND and TV at the same time.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I have to admit I'm rather confused on exactly what you are asking, but just to be clear, all a source (like a PS3) is doing is sending data to your receiver/audio processor. It is the audio processor that breaks up the audio signal and sends the appropriate signal to each speaker, including the sub woofer. A buttkicker is just a subwoofer. You can have as many subwoofers/buttkickers as you like, but you will need to split the signal to each subwoofer/buttkicker. It has nothing to do with a PS3 or any source, it has to do with your audio processor whether it be in a receiver or an external one, and that each subwoofer/buttkicker is being fed a signal from the audio processor. If you have multiple woofers, then you'll need to split that signal.

As for DIY subwoofers and buttkickers, there are countless ones to choose from. It's up to you to decide which design best matches what you want.

 

[Kryz11]

I see, So I can just Split the cable. And it won't be any problems. Thanks for the help, yeah I sounded confusing, because I was confused about the subject myself.

Once I get the system, Or maybe I'll build my own for CHEAP, because seems Buttkicker is 200 dollars now, It use to be 150 .. oi..

I might Do my own Project then, any suggestions? Would I need 2nd AMP to power it? I would like to do 2 shakers instead of one.

I also going to check out the link, Thanks Digital and TB!

 

[Scaff]

Before you split any cables can I just check what cable exactly you are running to your sub.

If its just standard speaker cable it would indicate that you have a passive sub, which is getting its amplification from the receiver. As most 'buttkicker' type systems are basically active subs you do not want to send an already amped signal to them (unless you like stuff going bang).

Subs come in two type, active and passive.

Passive subs have no built in amplification and need an external amplifier to power them, while active subs run with simple a line-in feed from the source and then amplify it internally.

You don't want to mix these two.


Photos of the leads and back of both your current sub and receiver would help get to the bottom of this.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Before you split any cables can I just check what cable exactly you are running to your sub.

If its just standard speaker cable it would indicate that you have a passive sub, which is getting its amplification from the receiver. As most 'buttkicker' type systems are basically active subs you do not want to send an already amped signal to them (unless you like stuff going bang).

Subs come in two type, active and passive.

Passive subs have no built in amplification and need an external amplifier to power them, while active subs run with simple a line-in feed from the source and then amplify it internally.

You don't want to mix these two.


Photos of the leads and back of both your current sub and receiver would help get to the bottom of this.

Quoted for truth and importance! 👍

 

[Kryz11]

The Cable running from my box to sub is normal speaker wire, the amp is build in the box.

So Aura Pro Bass Shaker would be perfect for this job? I would Like to get 2 of them.

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=102605

I am currently reading this post.
That's the one I remeber seeing a while back.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

The Cable running from my box to sub is normal speaker wire, the amp is build in the box.

Then as Scaff warned, your subwoofer is a passive woofer (has no built-in amplifier), so that means you are running a speaker wire with amplification to that woofer, and should definitely NOT split that wire!

The next thing to look for is a lineout from the back of your receiver for a powered subwoofer (typically is a single RCA jack). If this is a basic entry level "theater-in-a-box" (TIAB) type receiver, then there is a chance it simply does not have one, as it assumes you will only use the passive sub it came with.

If this is the case, you still have options, but frankly you may just as well be better off selling what you have and buying a traditional receiver or perhaps a TIAB with a sub lineout.

 

[Kryz11]

This is how my box looks like exactly from the back.

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2008/158/x158HTS2300-B.jpeg

So yeah there is no solution for RCA OUT.

BUT!

My tv have RCA cables.
I remeber one time I was playing with my surround settings with my PS3, and I could turn ON both AMP and TV at the same time. I could lower TV speaker volume and surround volume independently.
So If I buy a Separate AMP, and one or two bass shakers, can I simply just connect to the TV and play?



By the way these are the Specs for the setup
http://www.riverparkinc.com/techpdf/Ht-SS2000.pdf

 

[Kryz11]

So guys to what plug into TV I would have to set it up if I can run both 5.1 and TV when plaing PS3?

LIke I say, Ima Farm boy.. Im noob at it.. I don't want to buy something and find out I cant seem to run it hah.

Here is my TV setup. all the INs and OUTs.. To where I would have to connect it?

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww44/NoxNoctisUmbra/IMG_3495.jpg?t=1234633381

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww44/NoxNoctisUmbra/IMG_3493.jpg?t=1234633362

And YES, I just double check that I can set an option sound for both TV and 5.1 setup. So I can Hear AUDIO from Both TV and 5.1






**** EDIT, Yes it will work on my L/R OUT from my TV. Just got a good word from jswilli1 *****

Now If I could only FIND ONE!

Or I could just build one. Any good AMPS you guys think I should get?

 

[TB]

And YES, I just double check that I can set an option sound for both TV and 5.1 setup. So I can Hear AUDIO from Both TV and 5.1

Just as a double check, have you confirmed that you do have sound out of both the surround system and the TV at the same time?

To where I would have to connect it?

If the answer to my question above is yes, you should be able to connect the BK to the red/white audio out from the TV, if my understanding of all parts involved is correct.

Now If I could only FIND ONE!

I found it available on a few sites, but I can't say that I'd be comfortable ordering from most of them - low to no user ratings get me a bit worried. I did, however, come across this:

THESE ARE CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK AND ON BACKORDER FROM GUITAMMER WITH AN ETA OF APRIL 2009.

 

[Kryz11]

double post sorry!

 

[Kryz11]

Hey everyone!

My Sony 5.1 works great! Watching movies just raises hair.

But! I never had chance to play my PS3 as often, I find my father watching movies now with the good setup and he loves it. So I had to move my PS3 back to my Office/Gaming room. Good thing my brother bought a nice 1080p TV for the room, Smaller but picture looks better then TV room. But what we lack is nice 5.1!

This time, I will listen to you guys and buy custom made and not out of the box all in one setup.

So.. hmm.. Price range... up to 350 USD (400 USD MAX). Its a smaller room, so I do not need speakers size of a couch that will wake up everyone in the neighborhood.

I need HDMI compatible for both 1080p picture and 5.1 sound, I did some research, some offer HDMI but its only for picture not sound. I would like to connect it all with HDMI. I have PS3 HDMI, Xobx360 HDMI, and TV with HDMI inputs of course And Nice HeadPhones Jack at front or rear so I can use my GRADO headphones at night.

You guys know more then me in this subject, so any help will be appreciated !

 

[TB]

A few questions:

What is a our target price this time around?

Are you still staying with in-store purchases only or can we get prices from amazon, newegg, etc?

 

[Kryz11]

350 USD or cheaper, nothing too expensive.. but 400 is my total limit.

Newegg and Amazon sound really good, so yeah I do not mind online or store. Maybe online will be better so that I do not have to drive around for miles.

 

[TB]

The only receiver I could point you towards would be the Onkyo TX-SR606, but it clocks in at $420.

And you'll still need speakers.

 

[Kryz11]

Pretty expensive. How much good set of speakers would cost me?




So what if I go Optical cable? Well I see a lot of systems are optical still
So PS3 has optical, How is the sound quality compared to HDMI? any difference really? If it's really minor difference.. maybe I should go with Optical cheaper systems? What do you think. I just wanna enjoy 5.1 or if possible 7.1 system. IS there any differance in sound really? or at least MAJOR difference?

What you think? Save up for the expensive HDMI system or optical?

 

[Scaff]

Check out how much you can pick up a Sony DRG-820 for.

It will give you full HD audio via HDMI and has been extremely well rated, should come in cheaper than the Onkyo as well, leaving a bit to spend on speakers.

Yep $320 on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015HPYDK/?tag=gtplanet-20

Review - http://whathifi.com/Review/Sony-STR-DG820/

Regards

Scaff

 

[Kryz11]

Sony way cheaper, but.. still bit too expensive.. is optical good to go? what you guys think? quality wise.

Hm... I could always Buy the sony, and slowly save up for good speakers lol..

So guys all you gave me is the receiver, how about decent speakers? how much would it cost me for 4 and sub?

 

[nick09]

If you just want a 5.1 system then just go for a optical cable.

 

[Kryz11]

Yeah I figure so.. Any cheap systems? but I do not want crappy sound quality

If I have Optical hook up to box from PS3, I can still have my HDMI cable hook up straight to TV from my PS3 right? It will work well? Or I need to buy a box system with at least 1080p HDMI inputs/outputs.


What you guys think about this system?
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S3200&class=Systems&p=i

It says 1080p video support, but Audio needs to be optical right?


I have bit of time, it's not like I will buy something next week. I am thinking end of Spring. So plenty of time to choose right system.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

If you just want a 5.1 system then just go for a optical cable.

Optical is only going to give you 2-channel HD Audio (PCM, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA). HDMI will give you 5.1+ channel HD audio.... even if your receiver does not have Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA decoders... as your PS3 will be able to decode them and simply pass on the multi-channel PCM signal to your receiver.

If I have Optical hook up to box from PS3, I can still have my HDMI cable hook up straight to TV from my PS3 right? It will work well?

Yes. You would simply set the audio output settings on your PS3 to optical and your video output settings to HDMI... but ideally you would want to output the audio via HDMI as pointed out in this and many other similar threads.

Or I need to buy a box system with at least 1080p HDMI inputs/outputs.

You don't need it, especially 1080p upconversion, but in terms of getting the best possible audio from your equipment, yes, you'll want a receiver that accepts audio via HDMI.

What you guys think about this system?
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S3200&class=Systems&p=i

Looks like an excellent value for a TIAB system, and especially nice that it has HDMI 1.3a Pass-Thru - as that will allow you to take advanatge of any Deep Color video content... assuming of course your display also supports Deep Color via HDMI 1.3.

It says 1080p video support, but Audio needs to be optical right?

No. 1080p video refers to the receiver having a video processor with 1080p conversion... which frankly I wouldn't use any way, as your display likely has a better video processor with upconversion than a basic A/V receiver let alone a TIAB system.

 

[Kryz11]

Thanks for the info, So better stick with HDMI audio and video for better 5.1

So either the onkyo or that sony as stated before will be worth the bit extra money.

So I will get either two, probably ill go for cheaper system from them two. Any good speakers and bass you guys suggest?

 

[nick09]

No optical is supported in a 5.1 surround sound system with the PS3 and I got proof here. I don't understand how you can't stream a true 5.1 sound using a optical cable.

 

[TB]

Correct. Optical does support stereo and 5.1 audio, but only HDMI will run 7.1, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA on top of what optical can handle.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

No optical is supported in a 5.1 surround sound system with the PS3 and I got proof here. I don't understand how you can't stream a true 5.1 sound using a optical cable.

You didn't need proof as I never said you can't stream a true 5.1 sound using a optical cable.... It's been possible to do that for twenty years.

Please read my post again (I'll highlight in red to make it even more obvious what you apparently missed, or were not aware of):

Optical is only going to give you 2-channel HD Audio (PCM, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA). HDMI will give you 5.1+ channel HD audio.... even if your receiver does not have Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA decoders... as your PS3 will be able to decode them and simply pass on the multi-channel PCM signal to your receiver.

And if you need proof, simply turn on your PS3, go to the Audio Output Settings and select Digital Out (Optical)... then you'll see there is NO option to select any HD audio (PCM) over 2 channels. Now go back and do it again only this time select HDMI.

Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, and 5.1+ PCM audio (all HD lossless audio) are only supported over HDMI.

 

[Kryz11]

Hmm.. I'm sticking with HDMI.. and I'll but one of the 7.1 boxes so that in future I can always get extra speakers..

Any good speaker companies I should look for?

 

[nick09]

Based on my headphone experience with Sony, I'd say go for some Sony speakers.

 

[Scaff]

Hmm.. I'm sticking with HDMI.. and I'll but one of the 7.1 boxes so that in future I can always get extra speakers..

Any good speaker companies I should look for?

How much are you looking to spend as that will play a major part in this.

Based on my headphone experience with Sony, I'd say go for some Sony speakers.

Sony do make some good headphones, however for speakers you can get a lot better sound for your money than Sony.


Personally I would recommend looking at speakers from Kef, Mission, Monitor Audio, Tannoy or B&W, as a starting point.

All offer a good range of good range of speakers at a wide range of price points.


Regards

Scaff